Exisle Publishing September-October Catalogue

NEW RELEASES

SEPT/OCT 2021

THE SCIENCE OF HOPE — EYE TO EYE WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST AT RISK SPECIES, FEATURING WORLD-CLASS IMAGES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

• A BREATHTAKING NEW ART BOOK FROM INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED PAINTER CLARE REILLY. • REAL-LIFE STORIES CAPTURING THE MOMENTS THAT CHANGED LIVES IN TURNING POINT • 8 NEW CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS WITH HEART ON ISSUES THAT MATTER, INCLUDING: COOKIE, A SWEET TALE FROM A NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD DEBUT AUTHOR ABOUT THE POWER OF A PUP TO COMBAT DEPRESSION, AND A NEW STORY ABOUT IMAGINING A BRIGHTER FUTURE, FROM THE CREATORS OF THE ‘LESSONS OF A LAC’ SERIES, IN WHAT IF…?

The Science of Hope Eye to Eye with Our World’s Wildlife

Dr Wiebke Finkler and Scott Davis

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AU $45.00 | NZ $45.00 | Sept 2021 | 9781925820645 | 254 x 254 mm | Cased with Jacket | 160 pages | Colour

HIGHLIGHTS POSITIVE CONSERVATION EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD BY FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE ANIMALS MOST AT RISK. PERFECT FOR ANIMAL LOVERS, SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. From polar bears to mountain gorillas, penguins to sea otters, certain animals capture our imagination. These are the animals that become mascots for conservation campaigns. By why these creatures instead of other equally endangered animals? The answer lies in their cuteness or charisma! The great white shark fascinates us even as we fear it. The comical waddle of the penguin entrances us.

Illustrated with breath-taking images by one of the world’s leading wildlife photographers, The Science of Hope informs as it educates, describing the psychology and science behind our desire to connect with these animals while promoting a message of hope by highlighting positive conservation efforts around the world.

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ABOUT THE CREATORS

Dr Wiebke Finkler is a marine biologist, filmmaker and science communicator. She is interested in how to use multimedia storytelling for more effective science communication, conservation marketing and sustainable human–wildlife interactions.

Scott Davis is a wildlife researcher and professional photographer. Originally trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, Scott’s research, photo assignments and expeditions have repeatedly taken him to the far-flung corners of the globe and all seven continents. He has worked with and consulted for National Geographic, BBC, and Animal Planet Series.

OTHER BOOKS THAT CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY AND MAGNIFICENT DIVERSITY OF NATURE

Clare Reilly Eye of the Calm

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Clare Reilly

AU $55.00 | NZ $55.00 | Oct 2021 | 9781775594291 | 254 x 254 mm | Cased with Jacket | 144 pages | Colour

A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO THE NATIVE WILDLIFE AND LANDSCAPES OF NEW ZEALAND, DEPICTED IN VIBRANT IMAGES INSPIRED BY THE ENERGY AND MOVEMENT OF BIRDS IN FLIGHT. The mixture of autobiographical writing and gorgeous paintings subtly shows how Reilly’s art and experiences are entwined. Her themes cover the issues of habitat destruction and renewal, depicting native New Zealand birds in the landscape as metaphors for joy. In an increasingly troubled and fast-paced world, Reilly’s work offers the viewer a place to reflect on the healing qualities of nature and gather a sense of revitalisation. From first encounters with Tūī in her grandmother’s garden to memories of rolling hills overlooking the everchanging sea, this breathtaking book is a celebration of the life’s work of one of Australasia’s great artists.

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ALSO AVAILABLE AS A LIMITED, SIGNED AND NUMBERED LEATHERBOUND EDITION

ABOUT THE CREATOR

Clare Reilly has been painting and exhibiting since 1976. Her own works, commissions, calendars and cards have achieved international recognition, finding homes across the world. Clare is passionate about conservation and supports projects through her artworks, which express an underlying connection with the natural environment.

The Turning Point

Moments That Changed Lives

Gareth St John Thomas (ed.)

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AU $39.99 | NZ $39.99 | Oct 2021 | 9781922539021 | 229 x 152 mm | Cased with Jacket | 256 pages

HAND-SELECTED AS THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND CAPTIVATING ENTRIES IN AN INTERNATIONAL WRITING COMPETITION. THESE STORIES SHOWCASE BRILLIANT WRITERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD. A BEAUTIFULLY PACKAGED GIFT. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘the moment when my life changed forever’. Some of us can even pinpoint it in our own lives: the birth of a child, the acceptance letter to a degree programme, the decision to make a momentous change. The Turning Point is an anthology of personal accounts, showcasing the extraordinary and unexpected moments that have completely altered everyday lives. Each of the 40 stories in this book offers a rare glimpse into the turning point of the writer’s life. They are eclectic, diverse and entirely immersive. From stray bullets in Los Angeles to falling in love in the Australian countryside, you will find much to enjoy and think about in this captivating insight into the human condition.

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Gareth St John Thomas is the founder and CEO of Exisle Publishing, based in Australia and New Zealand.

He has been involved in the book industry since he was 11 years old, when he started helping his dad at David & Charles. Now, his mission with Exisle is to bring books into the world from voices that otherwise wouldn’t have been heard, and to give readers stories with heart. Gareth has written other adult and children’s books, including Finding True Connections and Grandpa’s Noises.

AU $199.99 | NZ $199.99 | Oct 2021 | 9781775594307 | 254 x 254 mm | Leather-Bound | 144 pages | Colour

MORE MEMOIR ANTHOLOGIES

EK BOOKS Toy Mountain

Stef Gemmill & Katherine Hall

AGES 4-8

AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Oct 2021 | 9781925820966 | 245 x 255 mm | Hardcover | 32 pages

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THEMES: SUSTAINABILITY, RECYCLING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

FOR A GENERATION LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF A MOUNTAIN OF PLASTIC WASTE, THIS IMAGINATIVE STORY ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOOKING AFTER THE ENVIRONMENT.

TEACHER NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

Sam’s dreams seem to have come true when he becomes a toy tester for the Tiny Hands Toy Factory, and his house is filled with plastic toys in all sorts of shapes and colours. But one by one and plonk by plonk, his shiny new toys start to break. Soon enough, Sam has a mountain of broken toys that just won’t stop growing!

This whimsically illustrated story highlights the huge amounts of plastic waste generated by ‘consumer culture’, and empowers children to take sustainability into their own hands.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Stef Gemmill is a children’s author, and won an International Rubery Book Award for her picture book A Home For Luna in 2020.

Katharine Hall is an illustrator who tells stories that translate across languages, specialising in ink work and digital design.

What if ... ?

Lynn Jenkins & Kirrili Lonergan AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Sept 2021 | 9781925820973 | 245 x 255 mm | Hardcover | 32 pages

AGES 3-8

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THEMES: ANXIETY, IMAGINATION

A JOYFUL STORY TO HELP LITTLE WORRIERS FOCUS THEIR IMAGINATION ON FUN AND ADVENTURE!

TEACHER NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

For Issy, and many more little worriers, ‘what if…’ are two small words that lead to uneasy feelings. But maybe they can be used for something a little more fun… In this colourful adventure, ‘what ifs’ become springboards for happiness and imagination. Why worry about monsters under the bed when you could wonder what if the clouds were purple and orange and green? Children will delight in this playful exploration of words and their power to change how we feel, flipping fears into fun!

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Lynn Jenkins is a clinical psychologist and author whose books have a strong focus on early intervention in the social and emotional development of children.

Kirrili Lonergan is a children’s book illustrator and art therapist. A former paediatric nurse, she relates warmly to the needs of children.

ALSO FROM THIS CREATIVE DUO

Shortlisted Book of the Year 2018

EK BOOKS Cookie

Isabelle Duff & Susannah Crispe AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Oct 2021 | 9781925820959 | 245 x 255 mm | Hardcover | 32 pages

THEMES: ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, PET THERAPY

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A PUPPY’S-EYE VIEW OF A CHILD EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION AND THE LOVE BETWEEN A PET AND THEIR PERSON. Cookie loves Girl more than anything – even chasing balls and smelling smells! Sometimes Girl is too sad to play with Cookie, but that’s okay because Cookie is good at sad. You can lick it off, you know. With beautiful words and playful illustrations, Cookie is both a heart-warming tale about the love between a dog and their person, and a sensitive exploration of depression and anxiety. From dog-lovers to children who share Girl’s feelings, everyone can learn something from this inseparable pair.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Isabelle Duff is a farmer, author, and student at the UNSW, where she will study Advanced Science/Commerce. Cookie is her first book.

Susannah Crispe has been illustrating professionally for four years, producing a large selection of greeting cards, logo designs and wildlife artworks.

TEACHER NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

LITTLE PINK DOG BOOKS Night Lights

Inda Ahmad Zahri & Lesley McGee AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Sept 2021 | 9780648652847 | 245 x 245 mm | Hardcover | 40 pages

THEMES: MALAYSIA, FAMILY, NATURE

AGES 4-10

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A story of the childhood memories of cousins growing up with their grandparents in the Malaysian countryside. In a time without the glare and distraction of modern technology, they discover the brilliance of nature by moon and candlelight. Cultural details are woven into the story as they honour the special bond they have with their grandparents.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Inda Ahmad Zahri is an author and surgical doctor whose stories are inspired by natural and cultural gems curated from her travels.

Lesley McGee is an artist who looks to her extensive travel experiences for inspiration and texture. Light and detail are a dominant feature of her work.

TEACHER NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

Ho Ho Ho!

Kathy Creamer AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Oct 2021 | 9780648652885 | 245 x 245 mm | Hardcover | 40 pages

THEMES: CHRISTMAS

AGES 4-10

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Told entirely through illustrations, experience the story of Santa Claus and his reindeer on their magical Christmas Eve flight as you’ve never seen it before! When one little child wakes up and runs out into the snow to say ‘hello’, she and Santa discover that things are not what they seem. A tale with a rather unexpected twist!

ABOUT THE CREATOR

Kathy Creamer has run two successful publishing companies: Creative Characters Publishing in the UK and Little Pink Dog Books Children's Publishing in Australia, where she now calls home.

LITTLE PINK DOG BOOKS Star

Artelle Lenthall & Margaret Dewar

AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Sept 2021 | 9780648964001 | 245 x 245 mm | Hardcover | 40 pages

THEMES: CHRISTMAS, SELF-ACCEPTANCE, NATIVITY

AGES 6-8

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Star is small, doesn’t twinkle as a star should and is never gazed upon in delight by anyone! Yet Star is brave and hopeful and resilient. Helped by an angel, Star learns self-belief, patience and trust. One night Star discovers something even more important — love. Through Star’s love and compassion for the young woman so close to giving birth, Star finally realises the real reason for its existence: lighting the way, which is more difficult and more beautiful than Star could ever have imagined.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Artelle Lenthall loves the magic of words on a page and the amazing places they can take us. She hopes children and adults alike will lose themselves in her stories.

Margaret Dewar is a freelance artist with a great love for sketching, cartooning and going anywhere her imagination takes her.

The Glint of Gold

Kate McGann & Patricia Ward AU $24.99 | NZ $24.99 | Sept 2021 | 9780648964032 | 245 x 245 mm | Hardcover | 40 pages

AGES 4-8

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THEMES: GRATITUDE, POSITIVE THINKING, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE A book that helps younger people develop a positive mindset using a lovely metaphor of the Glint of Gold.

This is used to highlight the wonderful positives in everyday life if time is spent looking for them.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Kate McGann is a writer living in Central Victoria with her partner and two children. She loves to write stories that explore relationships and wellbeing.

Patricia Ward is an illustrator who loves exploring colour and playing with positive and negative spaces. Her work is vibrant and whimsical.

Who Farted?

Fabi Williams

AU $14.99 | NZ $14.99 | Sept 2021 | 9780648964056 | 230 x 260 mm | Paperback | 32 pages

AGES 4-8

THEMES: HUMOUR, EMBARRASSMENT

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Was it you or was it me? A bottom-burp, long-winded, infusing the air with a deadly pong. It’s a stinker of a tale, where nobody asks the question, that’s too rude to mention… who farted?

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Fabi Williams is a registered nurse and has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Art) and Diploma of Health Counselling. She is wife and mother, with a love of writing ‘quirky’ stories full of humour.

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Sales enquiries Australia

Phone +61 2 4998 3327 | sales@exislepublishing.com Independent Publisher

Chief Executive Gareth St John Thomas gareth@exislepublishing.com

Orders and Invoicing c/o Harper Entertainment Distribution Services orders@harpercollins.com.au or Fax AU: 1800645547 Fax NZ: 0800452633 Note: All titles, specifications and prices are subject to change.

Sales enquiries New Zealand

Phone +64 3 477 1615 | nzsales@exisle.co.nz

Your Australian local Exisle sales representative

NSW, ACT & TASMANIA Bronwyn Eley - bronwyn@exislepublishing.com QUEENSLAND Keith Smyth - 0432 482 005 | keithmsmyth@hotmail.com WEST AUSTRALIA Christine Jackson - 08 9295 5552 | 0409 912 677 | christine@exislepublishing.com VICTORIA Joel Fulton, Fulton Book Agencies - 0417 411 466 | joel@fultonbookagencies.com.au SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY Liz Christie - 0417 825 945

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